Somewhere recently,

[catnhatnh]

I read that Glen Campbells "Galveston" was an anti-war song...I never took it as such at the time but can believe it is true....now I can't get it out of my head.....

[LA lady]

1. sort of

As I recall Jimmy Webb said it wasn't so much anti-war as pro soldier. It was supposed to be the Spanish American war if I remember right.

[catnhatnh]

2. Okay...

was there a spanish american reference or was that just your understanding?

[LA lady]

4. cannons flashing was the hint

That same year, Campbell released "Galveston," Jimmy Webb's evocative song about a young soldier dreaming of a sweetheart back home.
At the time, during the height of the Vietnam War, many thought it had an antiwar message.

Campbell said Webb got the inspiration on the beach at Galveston, but he was thinking about the Spanish-American War, not Vietnam. "Galveston" went on to become a crossover hit and country standard. "I'd like to see somebody record that one again," Campbell said.

[acmejack]

3. Artist/Band: Campbell Glen

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowing'
I still see her dark eyes glowing'
She was 21 when I left Galveston

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing
While I watch the cannons flashing
I clean my gun and dream of Galveston

I still see her standing by the water
Standing there looking' out to sea
And is she waiting there for me?
On the beach where we used to run

Galveston, oh Galveston, I am so afraid of dying
Before I dry the tears she's crying
Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun
At Galveston, at Galveston

Sounds like he needed words that would fit in the song, like all his other feel good bubblegum hits of the era.